Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-06-02
A PARIS THEATRE BURNED
SxorrxxG sosNEs ON THE OUT
y SIDE.
Omr of tho Actresses among Thoan
who We're skiIIod- Escaping Z" tho
Nsraet Oind Only in Their stage
C0atumcs.

indows are dead, and d3 were injured.
10 probable that many were crushed 70
oath in the galleries, but at present this
uncertain,
The fire broke out during the first act
the opera "Mignon." One Of the
ings caught fire from gas jet, and the
,tire stage was immediately enyeloped
flames. The fre soon spread 10 the
hole house. Nine, Mergyillier and
I'M. Tasquin and Bernard were on the
age whom the fire broke out. All the
itors ran out 10 their stage costumes.
ho audience got out easily, but the Qaa
as turned on before all had left the
r'lding, and IL Is feared that some were
IN the upper tiers. The roof soon
In, sending showers OF sparks as far
40 Place do Ia Bourse. With the ex.
ton Of Nine. SELLER, who perishod in
flames, all the aciprs escaped, though
sral Of the Aupernumeraries were IN
a severely.
ve bodies, terribly burned, were con.
ID to the National Library. Among
q was the body of a woman olaspinQ
tie boy In her arms. The money re.
ts were saved and deposited in the
tIots ofhce. The firemen showed the
atest courage. NM. Goblet. Thibau-
and dragnon were on the spot soon
r the FIRE started, and they remained
oughout with the fire officials. The
itary Club rendered great assistance
he work of resouing people from tho
lding.
iineteen persons are known to be dead.
Iny OF these were supers. An sruiicial
Q apparatus, which had been placed in
lHition in readiness for the burning Of
o palace In the act, rolled down from
: place near the roof aud exploded
low. Women, half clad and carrying
sir costumes, fed from the stage scream
Z. Supers and members of the chorus
re terrified. Some OF the latter fled
tn nothing on but tights. The flames
read with such rapidity that in 15 min.
hs the stage was vast furnace Several
iors escaped by climbing to the roof on
, side Of the Rue Marivanta, where
BY whore rescued by fire. escapes.
The audience was delayed few min
20 by dense smoke and Insufficient
.ht. The director Of the Solicit, with
wife and two children escaped without
Jury. The killed includes four firemon.
lere was not frantic rush IN the
satre, but it IL believed that the stair
ne became blocked. M. ,rasquiD I'M
pred the audience 10 remain nahled
ill the exits were opened, which they
!. II they had made n rush for tho
ors the loss Of life would hAvo been
rible. Tho police outside were unnble
restrain tho crowd who besieged the
ilding inquiring for friends inside
Ill military Gordon was formed. One
N who wanted 60 reseue his brother
sister rayed and tore his hair and
,naced with stick the people who
pped him from rushing into the biaz-
/ building.
The scene outside was one OF the
Idest excitement. Falling embers
unk horses in the surrounding streets,
using them to plunge and rear. Flames
lot ont of every window, forcing the
owd into narrow streets, where the
'ush was terrific.
A figurante says there were 100 persons
tho stage when the fire broke out. She
ard the glass falling like hailstorm,
nt told the other girls not to mind it.
mt while she was speaking o column OF
nme burst through the wings with roar
ld all rushed pellmell from the stage.
MANY policemen were injured. IL ia
III unknown how many persons were
se5le 20. Y. .escepe, fgaee the deemed huild-
I. Only fortnight ago M. steen-
kers called attention in the chamber of
puties to the dangerous condition Of
Opera Comique, which was the oldest
Rtre In Paris. Figaro also CALI d at
.tion TO the same thing after the recent
hour benefit performance.
,oNDoN, May 26.-The Havas News
enoy of Paris places the number OF
rsons killed and injured by the fire in
Opera Comique last night at go. The
satre was completely destroyed.
The Opera Oomique was situated on the
aoe fes Italiens and was capable of ac-
mmodating 1900 persons. Back Of
cry box was small saloon where re-
eshments were served between the acts.
he lditorium was supplied with fresh
tfrom the cellar, and in the summer it
cooled by ice. The management re-
oeiyed o subsidy Of $500 from the
Vernment.
PARIS, May 26.-The bodies of ballet
aneera who lost their lives by tho burn
~ OF the Opera COmique last night, are
ring in heaps in the ruins of the theatre.
he firAmen say that many bodies are
ing in the upper galleries.
The number OF persons killed greatly
sceeds the previous estimates. An ex'
ted crowd surround the ruins, which
o guarded by military Gordon. There
many distressing scenes-
PANS, May 20 The finding Of charred
odieB in the ruins of the Opera Ooniqu'
ontinues. The remains are recognizablt
MY by means Of trinkets. The ofhcia
statement says that so bodies have already
ieen recovered. M. Reveillen, n deput!
speaking in the chamber of deputies thi
Nfternoon, estimated that Mt least 20'
iersona lost their lives in the fire.
The bodies of ballet dancers who los
heir lives are lying in heaps in the ruin
: the theatre. The iiremen assert tina
inpy bodies are lying in the upper gal
ries. An excited crowd has stood NJ
.ay around the ruins which are gnhrde'
~ military Gordon. Many distrehslnl
penes are witnessed
I. Late this afternoon tho bodies oil II
,omen, all in full dress, were fonn'
ing together at the bottom OF the stan
iase leading from the second story
These women all had escorts to tn
theatre, but no bodies Of men were foun
anywhere near where the women wer
burned to death. n.
The w.lls of tho theatre began failin
his evening, and the search for poule
had TO be abandoned. The library ~
kaohed to the theatre was entirely de
stroyed with all its contents, inciuuln
many valuable scores. Six thousand COZ
tunes were burned in the wardrobe.
The bodies of three men and '"
women were found in the stage,Doi
where the victims had taken refuge iroi
the flames. The government propose
close several Of the Paris theatres peoauf
OF their deficiency in exits. :.
The Opera Comique was insured IL
l .OOO, 900 francs. The chamber OF dep,
llies has voted credit of 2OO,O0 fran'
tsor the relief of the sufferers.
I To-day 1866 missing persons have pee M
n oaauired for by relatives. They are sul
:. osed TO have persisted in the hsme
a u m'he bottom of the theatre is flooded W,
u, ~ ter to the depth of five teet. Six'
,n s dies have been found floating IN u
~ ~ .Rter by the fremen. :, ;,
re paR1s, Mav 27.-The examination OF y
ruins Of the Opera Oomique for the
mains Of victims continues vigorous ~
Twenty bodies have been found N tl,o ~. y,
ing-room. These victims had al me. tnS ea
death by mifocation. Ine h,eiton ~ raai M
other bodies, but we're unable 70 rea
them, 1t is believed that there are
bodies In the ruins.
A 5000, 600 SUIT.
Jay Gould, Russell sage ana o'"'
She Defendants. -,
NEW YoRK, May 26.-Lawyer VIM Y, ~
-.,hA ranTaaaQte0 III N